Signaling system.



H. B. STONE. 4SIGIIUILIIIIG SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.9, I9I3.

Patented Aug,V 10, 1915.

fig-Lf ITI- rHENRY B. STONE, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

SIGNALING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed August 9, 1913. Serial No. 783,905.

To all w71 om it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY B. STONE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Signaling Systems, of which the following is' a specification. 4

My invention relates to signaling systems in which alternating or pulsating current is employed either alone or in conjunction with direct current as in composite telegraph and telephone systems where an intelrupted current is used to operate a drop or to operate a. relay which actuates a drop, or in superimposed current sytems where alternating current having a frequencytoo high to dis` turb the direct current apparatus is employed to operate a relay.

Relays designed to be operated by alternating currents have been constructed with heavy armatures to prevent chattering or responding to each pulsation instead of responding to a train of pulsations. Such relays have been found sluggish in action and not well adapted to rapid signaling. Relays designed to keepstcp with the pulsations may be made more sensitive than those designed to respond only to a succession of pulsations. i

The object of iny invention is to provide means for signaling with alternating pulsating, or periodically-varying currents which shall be rapid, reliable and responsive `to very feeble impulses. For this purpose I employ a relay with alight armature capable of vibrating in unison with vibratory currents, and having two contacts, one on either side of the armature, one or more condensers and a battery or other sources off direct current, all connected in such a manner that when the armature makesl contact on one side, the condenser. receives a charge from the direct current source, and when the armature makes contact on the opposite side the condenser is discharged, whilefthe armature may remain on either contact without permitting the flow of direct current. `When the armature is-vibrating the condensers draw repeated charges from the" direct current source, which may be utilized to energize a second relay or a other electro-responsive device.

In the drawings Whicha (3com-panY and Y a Palit rof this speci'icationl hay? Shown' ternating current generator.

drop or any various arrangements of apparatus and circuits whereby the foregoing object may be realized; but it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific arrangements shown, inasmuch as the same result can be accomplished in substantially the same inanner by means of other apparatus and circuit arrangements.

In the drawings: Figure l is a diagram showing a simple embodimentl of my improved sgnaling system. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a modification. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a further modification. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the preferred form of my invention and Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the magnets shown in Fig. 4.

' In all of the figures, A represents a source `of alternating, pulsating or periodicallyvarying current, suchfor example,` as an al- K is a circuitcontrolling key. R is a resistance. C C Cf C', C, are condensers. B B B are sources of direct current, such as batteries. E E are earth connections. The line wire l includes said source of periodically-varying current and key controlling the same, an electromagnet and an earth connection E as indicated, although it willv be understood that a metallic return may be employed. The source of current indica-ted by the battery B', shown in the present instance as earthed at E', is arranged to be connected to theline-wire or other circuit 1l by .the armature S, normally held against its backstop 9 by the spring l0. Between the circuits l and 1l areintercalated the devices whichI constitute the subject matter of the present invention.

In Fig. 1, theA contact-members 4, 5, ther electro-responsive device 7 and the source of direct current B are serially connected and armature 3 is attracted by its magnet and arranged,

Ali

the p'ath C, R,3, 4, C andthe operation will be repeated as long as the line pulsations are continued. The cumulative effect of the rapidpulsations ofdirect current which are caused to pass through the winding of the magnet 7 in the direction of the arrow will located at a distant station,

cause the latter to maintain the armature 8V against the terminal contact of the line 11, the magnet 7 being-made' suiciently sluggish for this purpose. As indicated by showing a portion of its circuit in dotted lines, the magnet 7, which may operate a relayingarmature as shown, or a telephone drop, or any other suitable device, may be or it may be near the magnet 2, and it may control thev transmission of direct current as 4shown or may send alternating or pulsating current lor currents of any desired character. It will be noted that in the system shown in Fig. 1, as wellv as in those of the other figures, vthe armatureV of the magnet which is in the line circuit may remain on either one of its contacts without permitting the ow of. direct current from the source B, but when it is vibrating, the condenser ory condensers draw repeatedv charges from said source and the resulting current flow energizes the electroresponsive device 7. These condenser pulsations may be given any desired strength by regulating the electro-motive force of the battery B and the capacity of the condenser C, and their frequency is determined by the character of the source of periodically varying current A. The -device 7, 'connected in the pathway of the condenser currents, may

as vshown be an electro-mechanical device responsive to the cumulative eectof several rapidly succeeding pulsations having their A strength and'frequency thus controlled, and

unresponsive to similar pulsations of a considerably lower frequency, since, as above set orth,'it issomewhat sluggish. By such means powerful disturbing factors, which lack the required periodicity, may be completely nulliied. .v

In Fig. electro-responsive device 7 and the source of directcurrent B are serially connected'and form a circuit which is open between said contact-members, and said condensers C C" each have one terminal connected to a different onc of vsaid contact members and their other terminals connected to the armature 13. The magnet 12 is a. permanent magnet,

so that the armature or tongue 13 is p'olarized and requires no spring ',to`keep it in When the. condenser byway of 2, the contact-members 4, 5, the

'the line circuit consists as shown of two coils 1.4,' 15 with suitable cores arranged on either side of the tongue 13. When the armature is Vibrating through the influence of the periodically-varying current on the coils V14,- 15, the condensers C C" will be alternately charging and discharging and thereby creating a currentflowthrough the winding of the electroresponsive device 7. WhenA the tongue makes contact with the member 5, the condenser C will be charged by'a current which takes the following path:- From the battery B to contact 5,-tongue 13, resistance Rycondenser C', magnet 7 inthe direction ofthe arrow, and thence back tu the battery. When the tongue is against the contactfmember 4, the current-How 1s from the battery B,through condenser C, resistance R, tongue 13, contact 4, and'thus-back to the battery through the magnet 7 in the direction of the arrow. These pulsations of direct-current resulting rfrom the successive. chargings ofV the condensers energize ythe electro-responsive device 7 which may be made suiiciently sluggish to hold the armature 8 against theterminal contact of the line or other circuit 11 as long as the armature 13 is vibr'ated-with suiicient rapidity. At the same time that condenser C is charging, condenser C way of the path C, 5, 13, R,'.C,, and simultaneously with the charging of condenser C, condenser C will discharge by way ofthe path C', R, 13, 4, C.

will be discharging by the I In the modification shown in Fig. 3, theA I condensers C C, are continuously charged by the .direct current source B which is connected acr'oss their outer armatures. When the battery" is irst connected as shown, there will be, a flow otcurrent result-ing from the charging of the condensers,

and' thereafter there will be no dir-ect current low in the condenser' circuits until thel armature 13 is set in vibration by the pulsatory line current. In this case, when the tongue makes the condenser the winding 18 of the electro-responsive device 7 in the direction of the arrow by way of the path C, 18,155,13,v 16,-C. When the tongue makes contactv with the member contact with the member 5, C" will discharge through 4, the condenser C will discharge through' A -the winding- 17'of Athe electro-responsive del vice in the direction of the' arrolwfby Way of the path C', 1c, 13, 4,17, C.-

It' will be noted that vwhen lone condenser is discharging asabove set forth, the other'. is Vbeing charged, and that the current resulting from such charging will assist in thc energizationof the electro-responsivev device. Thus when the tongue is against the contact 5 and the condenser C is dischargingnthrough the winding'lS, the conneed not be employed in the vsa . their points `spring 20, as4 shown.

denser C will be charging and thereby creating a current tiow trom the battery B through the winding 1S, contact-meml er 5. tongue 13, conductor 1G, condenser C and thence'back to the battery in the direction indicated b v the arrow, and when the tongue is against the contact -t and the condenser C is discharging through the winding A17, the condenser C will be charging and thereby creating a current tlow from the battery B through the condenser C, conductor 1G, tongue 13, contact 1, winding 1T, and thence back to the battery as indicated by the arrow. Thus it will be seen that when one condenser is ldischarging through one coil in a given direction the other condenser is charging through the same coil in the same direction. It is also evident that either condenser may be disconnected and the pulsations through the single remaining condenser will operate the device effectively if the condenser be of sufficient capacity.

For contact-members 1 prefer to employ7 screws. such as shown at 4 and 5 and to adjust the relay by turning the screws so that make 'firm contact with the tongue in its neutral position, and then turning each screw back very slightly, so that the amplitude of vibration ot` the tongue is very small indeed. In this way I have fou :l that .the relay may be made.

yextremely sensitive andthat the period of no current may be reduced to a minimum.

The resistance R, which may be included in the condenser circuits of Figs. 1 and 2, to prevent excessive current at the contacts when the condenser is discharged, obviously system ot' Fig. where each condenser discharges through a winding of the electroresponsi ve device.

It will be noted that in Fig. 3, the contactvmembers 1, 5, both windings 17, 18 ot' the electroresponsive device T direct current B are serially connected and form a circuit which is 'open between said contact-members, and that the condenser-s C C are bridged across said source ot' direct current, each having one terminal connected to a diiierent one of said contactmembers through said windings 17, 18, respectively, and their other terminals connected. to the armature 13 by the conductor 1G.

In Fig. l thepermanent magnetic Held is created by means of a perlnanentmagnet 1.9, to the proximate ends of which are secured steel springs 20 20 having their ends slightly separated andyin juxtaposition to the preferably-pointed ends of the electromagnet 21, consisting, as shown, of a bent and the source of iron rod having its plane at right angles to that of the permanent magnet 19. Preferably,

the spring 20 i-s insulated from-the The variable i'ield` is produced .by the pulsatory `line current flowing through the windings 1i 15 of the magndt 21. Arranged on either side of the armature or tongue 2() are screw contacts 22. 22%, while similar and corresponding contacts 2l. 25 are arranged on either side of the armature or tongue 20.

ln the system shown in Fig. l, the two contact-meinbers 22. 24 on one side of the armatures. the windings 1l', 1S of the electrcresponsive device, the source of direct current l and the two colitact-melnbers 22E, 25 on the other side of said armatures are electrically connected and t'orm a circuit which is open between the two pairs of c(mtint-members, and each pair ot' seriallyconnected condensers C' C", and C, (VQ, are bridged across said source, each condenser having one ot its terminals connected to a di'tl'erent one of said pairs of contactmembers-the outer terminals of the condensers C', being connected through the winding 17 with the pair of contact-members 22, 24, and the outer terminals ot the condensers C C, being connected through the winding 1S with the pair ot' contactmembers 221, 25,-the other terminals of the pair ot condensers C C being connected to the armature 20 and the other terminals ot the other pair ot' condensers C1 C1 to th i armature 20` The energixation ot' the magnet 21 by the pulsating line current produces a cross-field, which causes the attraction of one tongue and the repulsion ot the other, so that the tongue 2U will be drawn against the contact 23 and the tongue 20 against the contact 21 when the line current is flowing in one direction, and the tongue 2n against the contact and the tongue 207 against the contact 25 when the line current flows in the other direction. ln this case the condensers and C', will discharge through the windings 1S and 1T respectively of the elec-troresoonsive device in the directions indicated by the arrows, when the tongue 20 is against the contact 225 and the tongue 20 is against' the contact 24. densers C ing current in the same respective directions through said windings and thereby increasing the magnetizing effect ot the electroresponsive device. lVhen the,v positions of the tongues are reversed, the co'ndensers C C1 discharge through the windings 17, 18, respectively, and'A simultaneously the Acondensers C C"1 charge and thereby' send a current through said windings the same directions as before.l

lVhen the armature 20 makescontact With the member 2 and the armature 2 0 with the vmember 2l, the paths by which the condensers charge` Condenser C discharges through'thewindingv 1S by way of the path C 01618 23 Condenser C', discharges'through and 'discharge are as follows:v

. through the winding denser C1 Aforming a members,

Awith Vthe member 22 and follows: Condenser C ing a periodically-varying the Winding 17 by way of the ath C'.1 f 20 24 17 e C1. Condenser charges 18 by Way of the path "y a b 18 23 20 e C el B. Condenser C1 charges through the Awinding 17 by way of the path B a b C1 f, 20 24 17 c d B. When the armature 2O makes contact the armature 20 several paths are as discharges through the:l winding 17 by way'or1 the path C e 20 22 17 c d C. Condenser C1 discharges through the winding' 18 by way of thepath C1 b 18 25 l20 f C"','. Condenser C charges through the winding 17 by way of the path B a C e 2O 22 17 c l B". on-

charges through the winding 18 .byv way of the path B a b 18 25 20 f C1 0 d B. Bythis arrangement of connections, a source of direct current, two vibrating armatures and four condensers are made to coperate to produce a strong effect upon the electroresponsive device. Any three of these condensers may be detached and the one remaining condenser will still have connections whereby the armature vibrations charge and discharge said'condenser, and in such case both the charges and discharges Will be utilized to energize the electroresponsive device connected in the pathway of the condenser pulsations. v

Selective "gnaling may be obtained by means of the apparatus above described by tuning the armatures to respond to a given frequency.

I claim: 1. In a signaling system,

with the member 25, the

a circuit carrycurrent, an electromagnet in said circuit, an armature for said electromagnet arranged to be vibrated when said electromagnet is energized by said periodically-v:rying current, contactmembers on either side of said armature, an electroresponsive device, a condenser, and a source of direct current, said contact-members, electroresponsive device and source of direct current being serially connected and circuit open between said contactand'said condenser having one terminal connected vto one of said contact-members and the other terminal connected to said armature.

2. In a signaling system, a circuit carrying a periodically-varying current, an electromagnet in said circuit, an armature for said clcctromagnet arranged to be vibrated when said electromagnctis energized by said perimlically-varying current, contactmembers on either side ot' said armature, an electrores'ponsi ve device, two condensers and a'source of direct current, said contact-members, electroresponsive device and source of direct current being serially connected and forming a circuit open between said contactmembers, and Said condensers each having 3. In a signaling-system, a circuit carrying a'periodically-varying current, an electromagnet in said circuit, a polarized armature for saidl electromagnet arranged to be vibrated when said electromagnet is energized by said periodically-Varying current, contact-members on either side of said po-` larized armature, an electroresponsive de! vice, two condensers and a source of direct current, said contact-members, responsive device and source ofudirect current being serially connected and forming a circuit open between said contact-members, and said condensers each having one terminal connected to a different one ofsaid contact-members and their other Vterminals-connected to said polarized armature.

4.' In a signaling system, a circuit carrying a. periodically-varyingl current, an electromagnet in said circuit, an armature for said electromagnet arranged to be vibrated when said electromagnet is energized by said periodically-varying curren, contactmembers on either side of said armature, an electroresponsive device, two condensers an a source of direct current, said contact-members, electroresponsi've device and source of direct current being serially connected and forming a circuit open between. said contactmembers, said condensers being bridged across said source of direct current and each having one terminal connected to a dierent one of said contact-members and their other terminals connected tosaid armature.

` 5; In asignaling system, a circuit carrying a periodically-varyingcurrent, an electromagnet in said circuit, a polarized armature for said electromagnet arranged to be vila-ated when-said elect'romagnet 'is energized byy said periodically-varying current, contact-members on either side o said polarized armature, an electroresponsivedevice, two condensers -and a source of direct current, said contact members, electroresponsive device and source of direct current being serially connected and forming a circuit open between said contact-members,

-said condensers being bridged across Said source of direct current and each havino one terminal connected to a differentone o sai contact-members and their other terminals connected to said polarized armature.

In a. signaling system, a Acircuit carrying a periodi lally-varying current, an electromagnet in said circuit, an armature for said electromagnet arranged to be vibrated when -said electromagnet is energized by said periodically-varying current, contactmembers on either, side of said armature, an electroresponsive device having Vtwo windings, two condensers and a' source of direct 'cui-rent, said contact-members, bothl one terminal connected to a dierent one of. said contact-members and their other tervmmals connected to said armature.

electrovwindings of said relectroresponsive device and said source of direct current being serially connected and forming a circuit open between said contact-members, said condensers being bridged across seid source of direct current and each having one terminal connected to a different onefct said contactnembers and their other *terminals connected to said armature. y

7. In a signaling systeni\, a circuit carrying a periodically-varying current, an electromagnet in said circuit, a polarized arinature for said electromagnet arranged to be vibrated when said electroinagnet is energized by said periodically-varying current, contact-members on either side ot' said polarized armature, an eleetroresponsive device having two windings, two condensers and a source of direct current, said contactmembers, both windings of said electroresponsive device and said soiiice of direct current being serially connected and forming a circuit open between said contactmembers, said condensers being bridged across said source ot direct current and each having one terminal connected to a difterent one of said contact-members and their other terminals connected to said polarized armature.

8. In a signaling system, a circuit carrying a periodically-varying current, an electroinagnet in said circuit, two oppositelydisposed polarized armatures for said electromagnet larranged to be 'vibrated when said electroinagnet is energized by said periodically-varying current, said armatures .moving in opposite directions when 'said lso electromagnetis energized by current of a given polarity, two contact-members one on either side of one of said armatures and two contact-members one on either side ot' the other of said armatures, iin electro'responsive device having two windings, two pairs of serially-connected condensers and a source ot direct current, the two contactmembers on the same side ot' said armatures, the windings ot' said electroresponsii'c device, said source ot' direct current and the two contact niembcrs ont the other side ot Asaid armatures being connected and l'orming a circuit open between the two pairs of contact-members, each pair'ot' seriallyeonnected condensers being bridged across said source of direct current and each condenser having one of its terminals connected to a diti'ercnt one of said pairs-of contactmembers, the other terminals ot' one pair of condensers being connected to one-of said armatures and the other terminals of the other pair of condensers being connected to the other armature.

9. In a signaling system, a source of periodically varying current, means fervibrating an armature in unison therewith, a condenser, a source of direct current, means cooperating with said vibrating armature for charging said condenser from said di-r `varying current, and being unresponsive to` similar pulsations of a relatively lower frequency.

ll). In a signaling system, a source of periodically varying current and means controlling the transmission ot the saine, means for receiving said periodically varying current andvibratiirg two armatures in unison with the same, coiitact-iiieinbers for said vibrating armatures. a condenser, a source ot direct current, connections whereby said condenser is periodically charged from said direct current source through one ot said contact-members and discharged through 9another* ot said contact-members when said armature is vibrating and an electromechafnical device included in said connec-l tions, said electr()mechanical device being responsive to the cumulative cli'ect of several successive pulsations oi a given 'fife-y uuency ha ving their strength determined by said source ot direct current and the capacity of said condenser and their fre-f uiieiicy determined by the character ot said source ot' periodically varying clirreiit, and being unresponsive to similar pulsations of a relatively lower frequency.

ll. vln a signaling system, an armature, means ior vibrating said armature, an electi-oi'csponsive device, two condensers, a source oi direct cui-rent, and nians cooperating with said armature Vfor charging one ol' said coiidciiscrs l'roin said source through said elcclrorcsponsive device in a given direction and simultaneously discharging the other ivlicii said armature has one position and tor changing` the second condenser troni said source through said electroresponsive device in the saine direction and simultaneously discharging thelirst condenser when said armature has its other position.

il. in a signaling system, an armature, nieans i'or vibrating said armature, an electroresponsive device having two windings, two condenscrs, a source of direct current, and means cooperating with said armature for charging one of said condensers from said source through one of the windings of said electroresponsive device 'given drection and simultaneously discharging the ,other of said condensersthrough said winding in the same direction, when said armature has one position, and for charging4 the second condenser from said source through the other winding of said electroresponsive device in said given direction and simultaneously discharging the first condenseriA through the last mentioned -winding in the same direction, when said armature has its other position.

13. In a signaling'system, means for vibrating the same in opppsite directions, an electroresponsive device'having two windings, four condensers, a source of direct current, means cooperating with one of said armatures for changing one of said condensers from said source through one of the windings of said electroresponsive device in a given direction and simultaneously discharging another of said condensers through said when said armature has a given position, and other means cooperating with the other of said armatures at the same time for charging a third condenser from said source through the other of said windings in said given direction and simultaneously discharging the fourth condenser through the last mentionedwinding in the same?- direction, when the last mentioned armature has a position opposite to that of the first.

14. ,In a signaling system, means creating a permanent magnetic field, two oppositely disposed armatures associated with said field, one having a permanent north pole and the other a permanent south pole, means disposed at right angl'es to said armatures for creating a periodically-varying magnetic field, an electroresponsive device, a plurality of condenseqrs, a source of direct current, and means coperating with said armatures for charging and discharging said Vcondensers through said electroresponsive device.

15. In a signaling system, an armature, means for vibrating the same, contact-members on either side of said armature, an electroresponsive device, a condenser, a source of direct current, and connectionswhereby no denser,

two armatures,

winding in the same direction,

Asource through said electroresponsive device when said 'armature is vibrating.

16;. In a signaling system, an armature,

means for vibrating the same, contact-memV Y berson either side ofsaid armature, a cona source of direct current, connections whereby no current flow is obtained- 6o from/said direct armature remains on either contact-member andfwhereby said condenser is periodically charged from said source through one of said contact-members and discharged through the other contact member when said' armature is vibrating, and an electromechanical device included in saidconnections, said electromechanical device being responsive to the cumulative effectv of several pecurrent source .when said riodical pulsations of a given frequency but unresponsive to similar pulsationsof a lcon-v siderably lower frequency. Y

17. In a signaling'system, a circuit carrying a periodically varying current, an electromagnet' in said circuit, two armatures arranged to be vibrated when said electro- I magnet is energized by said periodically lvarying current, contact-members for said armatures, a condenser, a source of direct current, connections whereby said condenser is chargedvfrom said source of direct current through one of said contact-members and discharged through another contact-member, andl an electromechanical device included in said connections, said electromeclianical device having two windings, one of said windings carrying the charges and the other winding carrying the discharges 4of said condenser.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name vthis 7thday of August 1913.

HENRY B. STONE,

Witnesses: r

ALBERT F. MANCHESTER,

WM. C. KENDALL. 

